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Jan W, WW L. c. OWNBEY SIGN CHARACTER STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-finest- 1 Filed March 16, 1964 INVENTOR. @vwvasv .ZILOVD Ca A TO R V United States Patent 3,298,123 SIGN CHARACTER STRUCTURE Lloyd C. Ownbey, 1313 Collingwood Place, Los Angeles, Calif. 90048 Filed Mar. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 352,236 6 Claims. (Cl. 40-433) The invention here under consideration relates to sign characters, usually letters, though sometimes numerals, and adequate punctuation marks and abbreviations consisting of separate units which can be applied to a suitable background and changed at will. More particularly the invention has reference to sign characters usually molded of plastic material and more often than not relatively translucent plastic material which can be illuminated in some appropriate way so as to present an attractive appearance which can easily be read at a considerable distance.

For quite some years molded translucent plastic sign letters have enjoyed considerable popularity for the mak ing of signs used in the marquees of theaters, motion picture houses, sports arenas, supermarkets and the like where signs are changed frequently. The common practice is to erect an appropriate background which very popularly is a white background, often lighted from the rear, across which extend a series of moldings to which the sign letters are attached. Still more recently, and for somewhat unrelated types of sign characters, refleeting discs or bangles have been adopted suspended on pegs of some kind so that they move when blown by the wind. Heretofore the reflective disc type of sign accessory has quite commonly been used on fixed sign characters where the stroke of the character provides the background for the reflective discs and the discs themselves are depended upon to trace the stroke of the character.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved sign character structure which combines the advantages of a molded translucent removable sign character with the reflecting disc type of sign accessory thereby to produce an entirely new type of letter or numeral.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sign character structure which combines the reflecting disc sign accessory with a molded plastic sign character in such fashion that the reflecting disc accessory while enhancing the eyecatching appeal of the molded sign character is in itself enhanced by a trim well-defined margin built into the molded portion of the combination.

Stiill another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sign character structure devoted primarily to removable type of characters wherein the structure of the molded sign character forms a supporting background structure for the reflective portion and which is so arranged that the molded portion of the combination serves also to physically protect the reflecting portion both during stocking, shipment and also during use.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved sign character combination comprising a molded plastic structure constructed in such fashion as to support a reflecting type of structure wherein the molding operation is simplified to the extent that the entire character can be molded in one operation and in such detail that assembly of the reflective portion with it can be accomplished simply, rapidly, inexpensively and also with a great degree of security using any of a number of alternative attachment expedients to produce a specially attractive sign device which is relatively inexpensive.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects con- 3,293,123 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 templated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accom panying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation-a1 view of a complete assembly of one form of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the background structure of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of another sign character is completely assembled form.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the molded letter base for the sign character of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a crosssectional view on the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary front view partially in section on the line 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing an alternative method of assembly.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 10-40 of FIGURE 3 showing a second form of structure.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, the letters R and N have been selected merely as typical examples of sign characters of virtually any kind which can be constructed in accordance with the invention. In the assembly of FIGURE 1 the letter is the letter R and the lines which trace the form of the R are herein described as the stroke of the letter. In this typical instance the stroke consists of a vertical leg 10, a rounded portion 11, and an oblique leg 12. These portions together form a body or background for a removable type sign letter which is preferably made from a molded sheet of one of the commercially available synthetic plastic materials. The body of the letter N of FIGURE 3 is similar in that the stroke of the letter is made up of two vertical legs 13 and I4 and an oblique leg 15.

The physical form of the body of the character, whether it be that of FIGURE 1, FIGURE 3, or any one of the other letters of the alphabet, appropriate numerals, or other character, may be substantially the same configura tion.

A typical form for the stroke of any one of the characters is shown to good advantage in FIGURES 5 and 6 which are cross-sections of the stroke of the letter R of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 6 shows the background material as it is initially molded. FIGURE 5 shows the letter in assembled condition using one form of attachment medium.

The body in this instance consists of a substantially plane central area 16 presenting an outer surface I7. 011 opposite sides of the central area are parallel ridges indicated generally by the reference characters 18 and 19. The ridge 18 is made up of a side wall 20, an exterior wall 21, and a rim 22 joining outer edges of the Walls. The ridge I9 is similarly constructed from a side wall 23, an exterior wall 24 and a rim 25. It will be noted that the exterior walls 21 and 24 are appreciably higher than the respective side walls 20 and 23 so as to provide a space 26 beneath the central area 16. It should also be noted that the exterior walls 21 and 24 extend slightly obliquely outwardly with respect to the respective ridge center line as do also the side walls 20 and 23. This leaves an outwardly extending hollow interior portion 27 within the ridge 18 and a similar hollow interior portion 28 within the ridge 19. It should be noted in this connection that a ridge 29 is of similar construction and joins end edges of the parallel ridges 18 and 19 at one end and that a similar of Torrance, California.

ridge 30 joins the other ends of the same ridges 18 and 19 at, What may be considered, the other end of the stroke.

As shown advantageously in FIGURES and 6, the side walls 20 and 23 extending as they do outwardly with respect to the central area 16, form a relatively wide valley 31 and this valley extends substantially uniformly throughout the entire stroke of the letter. The relative breadth of the letter, and consequently the relative breadth of the valley, will, of course, vary with the over-all size of the letter or character, assuming, for example, that the same type of sheet plastic is made use of.

Extending throughout the stroke of the letter are two parallel depressions indicated generally by the reference characters 35 and 36. These depressions are parallel to each other and parallel to the ridges 18 and 19. The depressions are also spaced from each other and from the respective ridges at approximately similar distances, although the spacing is not critical. In the chosen embodiment two such depressions are employed but comparable structure giving comparable results is envisioned where there may be but one depression throughout the stroke of the letter or even three similar depressions throughout the stroke.

The depression 35 is constructed, for example, of slightly sloping lateral walls 37 and 38 and a bottom wall 39. The lateral walls 37 and 38 are of such'height that there still remains appreciable space between the bottom wall 39 and rear edges 44) and 41 of the ridges 18 and 19. I.

The depression 36 is similarly constructed. How the depressions are traced through the stroke of the letter R, for example, is shown advantageously in FIGURE 2. The depressions are adapted to receive a composite strip 43 hearing reflective discs 44-. These discs are commercially available and one form which has been used advantageously is manufactured and distributed by Solaray, Inc., This composite strip consists, for example, of a continuous flange 45 in which are a series of longitudinally spaced bases 46 terminating in pegs 47 at the outer end of which is a knob 48 so that the reflective disc 44 which hangs on the peg 47 will be retained in position as it is suspended freely for movement in the wind. Intermediate the bases 45 are enlargements 49 which add stability to the composite strip and which, if desired, may be provided with drilled holes 50 for reception of a fastening screw 51, as shown in FIGURE 9. It is important to note that the breadth of the inside of the depressions 35 and 36 is wider than any portion of the composite strip 43 which, in the present example, is widest at the enlargements 49. It will be understood, however, that other types of composite strips differing in detail may be used with the body of the sign character herein disclosed.

When the composite strip 43 is to be assembled with the selected sign character, a quantity of adhesive 52 is placed in the respective depressions 35 and 36. This may be a heavy tacky adhesive, if the materials to be secured together are incompatible, or may be a solvent on other occasions. The composite strip 43 is then pressed into the bottom of the depression following the line of the depression throughout the stroke of the letter. One or more strips of varied length may be used suflflcient to fill the entire length of the depression throughout the letter. The composite strip may thereafter be held long enough for the adhesive to take an initial set. Once the adhesive is hardened, the letter can be lifted, moved about, shipped, and ultimately hung on a sign as an assembly, as pictured in FIGURE 1.

It should be noted further that the tops or knobs 48 of the disc-carrying pegs are located within the wide valley 31. At this location they are well protected from both sides by the ridges 18 and 19. This is true not only in use but also during shipment. It is especially true where the tops of the knobs are at an elevation lower than the rims 22 and 25. At a location such as this, when characters are piled one upon another for stocking or shipment, rear edges 4-0 and 41 rest upon the rims 22 and at locations fastened.

Lil.

entirely clear of the pegs. Even on such occasions where the knobs might protrude slightly above the tops of the rims, by reason of the fact that there is a space 26, the pegs may project partly into the space and in this way also be protected.

Although gluing has been described as a means for attaching the composite strips in the bottoms of the depressions, employment of a screw like the screw 51 may be used penetrating not only the hole but a corresponding hole in the bottom wall 39 of the depression. Other fastening means may also be found satisfactory as, for example, self-tapping screws, staples, drive screws and pins.

It is, of course, important as a basis for the invention that some fixed guide be built into the sign character against which the composite strip can be applied in such fashion that it will automatically be secured at the most desired location and along the most desired path throughout the stroke of the letter. In the case of the embodiment first described, the lateral walls 37 and 38, either singly or together, provide one or more shoulders which serve as a guide. Although two lateral walls are shown and described as defining a depression, it remains true that one wall may be sulficient for all practical purposes as a guide against which the composite strip can be Illustrative of a guide of different type but which nevertheless provides a necessary shoulder there is shown in FIGURE 10 an alternative structure. In this form of the invention a central area 55, which is similar to the central area 16, has a flange 56 molded on its outer face 57. The flange 56, as suggested in FIGURES 3 and 4, follows the stroke of the letter in much the same fashion as the depressions defined in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2. In cooperation With this type of guide such as the flange 56, a composite strip indicated generally by the reference character 58, provided as previously with reflecting discs 59, employs a base 60. On the rear side of the base there is formed a groove 61 which is adapted to receive the flange 56. Here again the base may be attached to the flange 56 by an adhesive similar to the adhesive 52 or by some other one of the fastening means which may be appropriate.

Although in FIGURE 10 there is shown a base wide enough so that there are legs 62 and 63 on both sides of the flange 56, it will be understood that the flange is primarily to serve as a guide and to assist as a means for attachment of the fastening means and that in reality where only one leg is made use of, pressed against the flange for guiding purposes, the unused leg may be dispensed with without departing from the scope of the invention. If a sturdier type of mounting is desired than that last suggested, then portions only of one leg may be removed while permitting wider portions of the base like that shown in cross-section in FIGURE 10 to remain but at spaced locations like the locations of the bases 46 and corresponding pegs 47, in the first described form of the invention.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the ridges 22 and 25 form outer margins for the stroke of the sign character whatever it may be. Thus the assembled letter is alway provided with clear definition at both outer and inner edges entirely independently of the reflective discs. These are located in the valleys thus provided by the ridges and if the structure is such that some deviation must occur from a normal well defined pattern or spacing, the over-all effect remains very much the same because of the clear-cut outline of the background portion of the assembly. 011 the other hand, because of the fact that the depressions or flanges, whichever may be selected, are preformed in advance when the background structure forming the body is molded, they are positively molded so as to follow the stroke of the letter and the direction of the ridges. Consequently, the precise location of the composite reflecting strip structure is formed automatically in advance and as a result when the composite strip is applied, the initial shoulder line is followed and a desired result will be assured.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as neW in support of Letters Patent is:

1. A sign character structure comprising a body of sheet plastic material forming the stroke of the character, said body comprising a central area, parallel ridges forming and determining side edges of the central area, at least one elongated shoulder extending throughout the length of the stroke and formed from the material of said character, said shoulder being spaced substantially uniformly from said ridges and being in conformance with the stroke of said character, and a separate strip conforming in length and configuration with said shoulder, said strip having a shoulder complementary to the shoulder on said character, means holding said shoulders in engagement, a series of linearly spaced pegs on said strip extending outwardly beyond the surface of said central portion and a reflect-or element being movable on the outer end of each peg.

2. A sign character structure as in claim 1 wherein the shoulder on the body of said character comprises a depression and the shoulder on the separate strip comprises a substantially continuous relatively flexible member narrower in breadth than the breadth of said depression and bendable to conform with the stroke of said character, said pegs having a length projecting outwardly of the surface of said central portion.

3. A sign character structure as in claim 2 wherein said means comprises a mass of adhesive material surrounding the sides of said strip in said depression.

4. A sign character structure as in claim 2 wherein said means comprises screws and wherein said strip has a series of linearly spaced holes for reception of a plurality of said screws.

5. A sign character structure as in claim 1 wherein said strip comprises a substantially continuous relatively flexible member which can be bent, curved and turned to conform to the stroke of the character and wherein there are -a series of linearly spaced enlargements, some of said enlargements having said pegs mounted thereon and others of said enlargements comprising means in cooperation with said means holding said shoulders in engagement.

6. A sign character structure as in claim 1 wherein the shoulder on the body of said character is an outwardly extending flange with opposite relatively flat sides and wherein the shoulder on the separate strip comprises means forming a longitudinal groove in the side of said strip facing said flange, said flange being secured in said strip by said means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,614 3/1959 Baldanza -443 X 2,941,323 6/1960 McKiernan 40 x 3,130,512 4/1964 Van Buren 40-140 X 3,206,882 9/1965 Thatcher 40--138 FOREIGN PATENTS 246,213 12/1960 Australia.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

HERBERT F. ROSS, Examiner. 

1. A SIGN CHARACTER STRUCTURE COMPRISING A BODY OF SHEET PLASTIC MATERIAL FORMING THE STROKE OF THE CHARACTER, SAID BODY COMPRISING A CENTRAL AREA, PARALLEL RIDGES FORMING ONE ELONGATED SHOULDER EXTENDING THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE STROKE AND FORMED FROM THE MATERIAL OF SAID CHARACTER, SAID SHOULDER BEING SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY FROM SAID RIDGES AND BEING IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE STROKE OF SAID CHARACTER, AND A SEPARATE STRIP CONFORMING IN LENGTH AND CONFIGURATION WITH SAID SHOULDER, SAID STRIP HAVING A SHOULDER COMPLEMENTARY TO THE SHOULDER ON SAID CHARACTER, MEANS HOLDING SAID SHOULDERS IN ENGAGEMENT, A SERIES OF LINEARLY SPACED PEGS ON SAID STRIP EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE SURFACE OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION AND A REFLECTOR ELEMENT BEING MOVABLE ON THE OUTER END OF EACH PEG. 